About / Kevin Coyle
Hi, I'm Kevin! I'm a UK-based technical lead, consultant and product builder. I build my own products and help major organisations bring AI into their design systems. Here's how I got here.
Chapter 01
When I was around 6 years old my father brought home our first computer: a Compaq 486DX complete with Windows 3.1. I was obsessed with the DOS prompt and even bought a DOS for Dummies book to become a power-user from the 1980's.
Before that, most of my free time was spent tinkering with my Sega Megadrive 2 and becoming obsessed with Sonic the Hedgehog.
Obsessed with Sonic the Hedgehog
Chapter 02
At about 9 years old my brother bought me a computer of my own: a 166MHz Pentium Packard Bell. Relentlessly, I would attempt to learn how to program, starting with QBasic and moving on to Borland C++. Mostly reading magazines such as PC Pro and PC Format.
Chapter 03
After moving around quite a lot as a kid I eventually stayed the longest period of time in Bridlington. We didn't have proper IT facilities at school — the closest we could get were Business Studies classes and the "European Computer Driving Licence" which I did out of sheer boredom.
I took up playing guitar and studying foreign languages. Because I couldn't choose relevant A levels, I ended up studying Maths and Physics.
Chapter 04
I did what everybody else seemed to do and spent an awful lot of money going to university — mostly a fantastic way to escape the picturesque but terribly boring town of Bridlington for the bright lights of Manchester.
After my second year I felt I really should have studied Computer Science. Unwilling to subsist on beans on toast, I started my own small web development business to pay my way. This really took off.
I really should have studied Computer Science...
Chapter 05
After a chance meeting with TV presenter Russell Grant, my business pivoted from simple Drupal sites for small businesses to famous people and actors. I became immune to being starstruck — household names were calling me for my alleged wisdom as a computing guru!
I rented a small office slap bang in the centre of Manchester and made my first hire. The mid to late 2000's were a hectic time for web technology.
Chapter 06
I wound down the business and took a contract at TalkTalk. It was my first proper adult job — despite having worked as a party entertainer at McDonalds as a teenager. Getting paid a salary with holiday pay was quite a novelty!
I stayed about 18 months, forging contacts at web development giants like Acquia, then went back into contracting.
Chapter 07
My next adventure brought me to sunny Macclesfield — hush hush projects for a company that changed its name more times than I changed the bulbs in my house. Based around new and exciting drugs and medical implements.
I worked here for around 4 years, gained some stability, and finally bought a house of my own.
Chapter 08
A recruiter convinced me to look into a fully remote role for an agency in Chichester. Before I knew it I was working in medcomms again — this time for Pfizer.
I was promoted to tech lead for their new design system, receiving consultancy from some of the biggest names in the web. I believe I helped make it a success.
Chapter 09
I took the plunge and went into consultancy with my good friends at Big Medium — working with incredibly talented folks like Brad Frost, Ian Frost, Jessi Hall and Josh Clark. An unstoppable bunch passionate about technology and design systems.
I've shifted my focus to AI and machine learning. Honestly, this era feels like the dawn of the internet all over again.
Chapter 10
2024–2026 has been my building phase. Alongside consultancy, I built three products of my own: Really Focus, Vantage and Spektral. Different problems, different audiences, and plenty of time spent turning ideas into working software.
I’ve also been collaborating with major corporations on their design systems and implementing AI into them. Building my own products alongside that work keeps me close to the practical questions: where AI helps, how it fits into an existing system, and what it takes to make it reliable.
An AI assistant for independent consultants, helping them keep track of client commitments, prepare for the week and stay on top of billing.
A platform for UK political parties to organise campaigns, coordinate volunteers and manage the day-to-day work of their branches.
An AI-powered workspace for building design systems from specifications, bringing components, tokens, documentation and reviews together.